Superhero

Chapter 120

Addison sat beside Jordan in Academic Writing class while Galante was displaying a new essay question at the front. He was also walking around the hall to see how everyone was doing.
"What do you think of the new new tenant?" Jordan asked. "I said new twice since Galante was the previous new tenant."
Addison tilted her head slightly and straighten it. "Well, she seems nice. But I'm wondering why she's staying here when she's like... well, a research scientist."
Jordan shrugged. "Well, maybe it's because she prefers living with people than she does alone, or maybe it's because Felicia is an amazing landlady."
"That could be it," Addison said. She turned back to the screen of her tablet and continued typing out her essay.
Galante made his way to them. "Everything alright?"
"Yep," Jordan nodded and turned the screen of his laptop to him to show his progress. "How is this, sir?"
"Seems great," Galante nodded, then turned to Addison, who immediately lifted her tablet and brought it to him. "Ah, this is good."
Addison smiled. "Thanks, sir."
Galante smiled, but then leaned in between the two of them. "What do you two think of this new Fleurette character?"
"Jordan just asked me that," Addison snickered.
"Well?" Giuseppe turned to Jordan. "What do you think?"
"Addie thinks it's a bit odd that she's living with us despite being Doctor Greyson," Jordan told him in a low voice. "Then again, it's just as odd that you're living with us."
Giuseppe sighed and leaned just a little closer. "You see, living in a fully-furnished apartment is great and all, but then comes the responsibility of maintaining it. But when your space is just a little room, your responsibility becomes little as well. You get me?"
Jordan nodded. "Yessir. But still, about this Fleurette person..."  
"Jordan, he just said..." Addison piped up.
"Yeah, but that's his point of view," Jordan countered.
"Investigate all you like," Giuseppe said, straightening himself. "Because I know that nothing will stop you until you do."
With that, Galante turned on his heel and moved on to the students on the row behind them.
"You know, he does have a good point," Addison said. "First the wallet story and now this?"
Jordan shrugged. "It's nice to have a little mystery on our hands."
Addison suddenly remembered the library incident that started on something quite similar to what he was doing now. All because he was trying to convince her to spy on Galante just because her work starts at three and his starts thirty minutes earlier. That incident made Addison see Jordan a little differently, like the friendship had died a little the moment he had said that. And no amount of sorry would be able to change it back to the way it was.

Jeff looked up from his chicken burger just as Addison walked in.
"Having lunch?" Addison asked as she placed her bag on the chair beside the table.
Jeff nodded, leaning over the counter. "Yep. How was your day?"
Addison smiled as she opened the food warmer to grab a rather large corn dog. "Eventful."
"Pray tell," Jeff smirked as he sat himself on the stool.
"So Felicia invited us down for breakfast since a new tenant was coming, yes another one that's not Galante, and yeah we went down quite early and helped her with everything," Addison began quite excitedly. "Also, I learnt that Galante makes an excellent cup of coffee. So strong, yet not too bitter."
"Sounds delicious," Jeff said, then bit into his burger. He pointed at her when his mouth was still full, then swallowed before speaking. "Hey, he should open a cafe right beside the Posiden Coffee in Harvington. He would put them out for business."
Addison nodded. "Darn right, he will. But yes, even Fiolina was there."
"And I wasn't?!" Jeff gasped.
"Yeah, I only thought of calling you when it was too late," Addison sheepishly said. "Sorry, buddy."
Jeff sighed. "It's fine. What else happened?"
"Well, the new tenant came," Addison became excited again. "It's a lady. And her name is Fleurette Greyson. And she's also a research scientist."
Jeff looked impressed. "Well, well. Now that's someone who could help me with my homework."
"Yes, she was pretty nice," Addison said. "And really tall and quite built. Usually, I'd imagine scientists to be like... skinny."
"Even me?" Jeff gave her a questioning look, still holding his burger.
"Well, you're studying to be a veterinary pharmacologist," Addison piped up, then realised something. "Which is kinda the same thing... sorry, I really thought you were just gonna be a pharmacist in a vet clinic's dispensary."
Jeff shook his head, disappoint written all over him. "I can't believe you would look down on my work like that."
Addison chuckled. "Sorry, bud. I genuinely didn't think of that."
Jeff sighed. "Alright, alright. What else happened?"
"Jordan asked Galante why he was staying at our house despite being a lecturer and whatnot."
"And what was his reason?"
"That he prefers maintaining a room than maintaining a whole apartment. Basically, he told us a lengthy version of 'I a, lazy'."
Jeff smirked. "Well, I feel him."
The welcome tune blared suddenly and the two turned to look. By this time, Addison was standing before the counter with the corn dog warmed and sitting in a paper bag beside bottled milk and a yoghurt granola bar. A customer walked in and placed a hand on Addison's shoulder.
The customer was Fleurette.
"Well, how do you do?" Fleurette smiled.
"Oh, hi," Addison greeted with a smile. "You dropped by."
"Yes, and will I be getting that staff discount?" Fleurette gave her a knowing smirk.
Addison nodded. "Sure." She turned to Jeff, who watched the exchange in surprise. "Jeff, this is my new housemate, Fleurette."
Jeff gave her a small smile and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Ms Fleurette."
"Please, throw that Ms away," Fleurette chuckled and made her way towards the back of the shop. "I don't like being formal."
The two were silent, Jeff even forgetting to scan Addison's things for a few moments. He eventually realised and started working on that. Addison paid for her things and placed them on the table. Fleurette took her own sweet time to come back to the counter, now holding a few energy bars, a packet of chocolate-flavoured loose granola, and a sports drink. She placed them on the counter and Jeff wordlessly scanned them. Addison let her use her staff discount, which earned a disapproving look from Jeff as he packed the things into a little plastic bag.
"Have a nice day," Jeff said with a smile as he handed her the receipt.
Fleurette didn't respond to that as she gave Addison a pat on the back and left the shop. The two of them watched her strut down the street and make a beeline for the bus stop right across from it.
"I don't like her," Jeff finally said, watching Fleurette. "Something's up."
Addison turned to him in surprise. "What makes you say that?"
Jeff frowned as he looked at Addison. "She has bad vibes. You better be careful with her, Addie."
Addison frowned slightly as she quietly made her way to the table again and sat to eat her cheesy corn dog. Jeff was always an easygoing person, who was even very jovial with her other friends despite not really knowing them. Jeff was even playful with Giuseppe, who was still their lecturer, even Fiolina, but he didn't seem to like Fleurette. Addison wondered about that as she nibbled on her corn dog, but he didn't let her.
Jeff ended up pulling her into a lighthearted conversation about his dog.

Yass, two chapters in one night! I'm gonna finish this book. Yeah!